Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are racing to contain what has been described as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded, with the World Health Organization confirming 600 deaths.
The WHO said 1,759 confirmed cases have been reported since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, as the virus continues to spread across parts of the country.
Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Wessam Mankoula, warned that the outbreak is advancing faster than response efforts. He said the current outbreak has surpassed previous Ebola epidemics, with cases estimated to be doubling every 28 days.
Health authorities say $1.4 billion is required to strengthen disease control and humanitarian operations, urging international partners to speed up funding support. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.
The WHO said the fatality rate stands at about 34 per cent, with 285 patients recovering and more than 300 suspected cases still under investigation.
The outbreak, concentrated in Ituri Province, has spread to four provinces, with insecurity, displacement and weaknesses in the healthcare system complicating containment efforts.
More than 10,000 contacts of infected persons are being monitored, while trials for two potential treatments are underway as health workers intensify efforts to stop further spread.
